維摩經略疏 7.20

7.20

Question: Is there a separate Land of Quiescent Light? Answer: Not so. Fragmented and transformative are themselves the Eternally Quiescent Light. Just as what Śikhin saw was that the defiled is itself the pure, and one does not seek separately; therefore it says, "For instance, the devas eat from a common precious vessel, but the color of the rice differs." Saying "the devas" symbolizes the three lands: all have environmental and personal retribution—the personal retribution is the body; the environmental is the dwelling place, the pure and wondrous five desires possessed, and so forth. Saying "all are empty" symbolizes that Eternally Quiescent Light has no such distinctions of environmental boundaries, nor does it have differences among kinds of personal retribution, but all together enter the principle of ultimate true emptiness, just as this room is empty without things and without attendants. Formerly, when facing various expedient guests, all the furnishings had to be provided; now the guests have all become vessels for ultimate emptiness. Even if they have not yet entered, they surely will enter; having obtained the fragrant rice before long, like hearing the poison drum, when they come to hear the Lotus Sūtra they will all enter. Therefore, the empty room directly symbolizes this.